HC Deb 23 April 1928 vol 216 cc627-9
56. Mr. HORE-BELISHA

asked the Minister of Labour when it is expected that the Report of the Industrial Transference Board will be laid upon the Table?

Mr. BETTERTON

As I stated in reply to the hon. Member for Southwark Central (Mr. Day) on the 18th April, no formal Report has yet been made by the. Board though I have reason to believe that it is the Board's intention to make one at a later stage. I may remind the hon. Member that the Board are not primarily a Committee of Inquiry whose sole purpose is the presentation of a Report, but an advisory body with continuing functions. In this capacity the Board are in constant touch with the Departments concerned with the transfer problem, and in particular with the Ministry of Labour and the Overseas Settlement Department. Apart from private initiative, it is, in the main, through the Employment Exchange machinery, the training centres for juveniles and adults, both for home and overseas, and the oversea migration machinery that actual transfers of labour can be effected, and these agencies are operating in close association with the Board.

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

Have the Board done anything practical yet, and if so, what?

Mr. BETTERTON

Yes; that question has been asked many times before, and if the hon. Gentleman will look at the reply given by my right hon. Friend on the 7th March last, he will find an answer.

Mr. PALING

Would it not be advisable to get the Report as early as possible, so that we may know what they have done?

Mr. BETTERTON

Yes, I have no doubt that we shall get the Report as soon as possible.

Mr. KELLY

Do we understand the hon. Gentleman to say that the Transference Board will deal with juveniles, as well as with adults?

Mr. BETTERTON

Yes, certainly. What I said was: It is in the main through the Employment Exchange machinery, the training centres for juveniles and adults … that actual transfers of labour can be effected.

Mr. DAY

Does the hon. Gentleman wish us to understand that he has no knowledge of what the Board are doing until he gets a full Report?

Mr. BETTERTON

No, Sir, I do not say that. What I say is that, when this question appeared on the Paper, I made it my business, to find out if it were the intention of the Board to issue a report, and, as I say in the answer, I have reason to believe that it is their intention.

Mr. SHINWELL

Having regard to the importance attached by the Government to this Board, is it not desirable to have information at once?

Mr. BETTERTON

It wou'd be much better to wait for the report.

Mr. SHINWELL

When do the Government expect that the investigations of this Board will be completed?

Mr. BETTERTON

That I cannot say, but their report will be made when their investigations are completed.

Mr. PALING

In view of the fact that we cannot have the report just yet, can the hon. Gentleman say whether the Board have succeeded in transferring anybody?

Mr. BETTERTON

That is exactly the question asked by the hon. Gentleman the Member for Devonport (Mr. HoreBelisha), and, as I say, the reply will be found in the answer given by my right hon. Friend.